Pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism

ABSTRACT

A pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism characterized by a purely pneumatic knot tying operation which eliminates moving parts acting directly on the yarn including the following. A pair of knot typing housings is carried by a frame in longitudinallyspaced mirror-image relation to each other. An injector nozzle is formed in and extends longitudinally through each of the housings to define opposing, longitudinally-extending, axially-offset, parallel, yarn passageways having air streams therethrough from outside faces to inside faces of the housings whereby yarn ends positioned at the outside faces of the housings will be sucked in and carried through the nozzle passageways and impinged upon the inside faces of the opposite housings. Recessed, open-sided, curved, continuous, knott tying, guide surfaces are formed on the housing inside faces around the nozzles and each define an interlooped, yarn passageway on each of the housing inside faces generally in the shape of a loosely tied knot loop and being positioned for receiving at the entrance end thereof the yarn end and air stream from the opposite housing nozzle and passing the yarn end and air stream around the other yarn end being carried through the same housing nozzle and out of the exit thereof for the tying of a knot of each of the yarn ends around the other of the yarn ends. A suction conduit is positioned adjacent the exits of the knot tying passageways for receiving and sucking in the loose ends of the yarn from the exits after the knot tying operation and for pulling the loosely tied knots and yarn out of the knot tying housings through the open sides of the guide surfaces and through slots in the nozzles and for tightening the tied knot. Preferably, a cutter is positioned for cutting off the loose ends of yarns extending from the tied knot into the suction conduit for removal by the suction conduit.

United States Patent [191 Franzen Feb, 25, 1975 PNEUMATIC YARN KNOTTER MECHANISM [75] Inventor: Gustav Franzen, Krefeld, Germany [73] Assignee: Palitex Project-Company GmbH,

Krefeld, Germany [22] Filed: June 18, 1974 [211 Appl. No.: 480,573

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 18, 1973 Germany 2330997 [52] US. Cl. 289/2 [51] Int. Cl B65h 69/04 [58] Field of Search 289/2, 5, 11; 242/356 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,110,511 11/1963 Gebald et a1. 289/2 X 3,188,125 6/1965 Pesch 289/2 3,265,421 8/1966 Raasch 289/2 3,373,947 3/1968 Prasil 242/356 Primary Examiner-Louis K. Rimrodt Attorney, Agent, or FirmParrott, Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson [57] ABSTRACT A pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism characterized by a purely pneumatic knot tying operation which eliminates moving parts acting directly on the yarn including the following. A pair of knot typing housings is carried by a frame in longitudinally-spaced mirrorimage relation to each other. An injector nozzle is formed in and extends longitudinally through each of the housings to define opposing, longitudinallyextending, axially-offset, parallel, yarn passageways having air streams therethrough from outside faces to inside faces of the housings whereby yarn ends positioned at the outside faces of the housings will be sucked in and carried through the nozzle passageways and impinged upon the inside faces of the opposite housings. Recessed, open-sided, curved, continuous, knott tying, guide surfaces are formed on the housing inside faces around the nozzles and each define an inter-looped, yarn passageway on each of the housing inside faces generally in the shape of a loosely tied knot loop and being positioned for receiving at the entrance end thereof the yarn end and air stream from the opposite housing nozzle and passing the yarn end and air stream around the other yarn end being carried through the same housing nozzle and out of the exit thereof for the tying of a knot of each of the yarn ends around the other of the yarn ends. A suction conduit is positioned adjacent the exits of the knot tying passageways for receiving and sucking in the loose ends of the yarn from the exits after the knot tying operation and for pulling the loosely tied knots and yarn out of the knot tying housings through the open sides of the guide surfaces and through slots in the nozzles and for tightening the tied knot. Preferably, a cutter is positioned for cutting off the loose ends of yarns extending from the tied knot into the suction conduit for removal by the suction conduit.

10 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures .PAIENIH] FEBZ 51975 sum 1 OF 5 PATENTEU FEB? 5 ms SHLET 2 [IF 5 PATENTED FEB25|975 3.868 .133

sum 3 pf 5 PATENTED FEB25|975 sum u or 5 1 PNEUMATIC YARN KNOTTER MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF INVENTION This invention relates to a pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism especially for use on a yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, for knotting together broken or otherwise separated ends of yarn being processed thereby and being characterized by a purely pneumatic knot tying operation which eliminates parts acting directly on the yarns.

Since the lengths of yarn on bobbins, such as used in the textile industry on yarn processing machines, are limited, the knotting of yarns forms part of the constantly recurring activity of the operators of the textile machines. However, not only does the connecting together of the ends of the yarns of bobbins which are successively used require knotting but also every break in the yarn requires a knotting in order to maintain the textile machines in operation.

The knotting of yarn ends is effected by the operators in part by hand and in part by means of mechanically operating knotting devices which the operator carries along with him. These so-called hand knotters automatically effect the knotting upon their actuation by means of a tying beak, cutting blades and clamps. Despite the mechanization of knotting obtained thereby, it requires a great deal of skill on the part of the operator, particularly since the two ends of the yarns to be connected must be placed by him on the hand knotter.

In order to facilitate this work various proposals have been made in accordance with which the knotter is either arranged fixed in position in the region in which a knotting is as a rule to be carried out or measures are taken to fasten such a knotter on the corresponding machine in case of need for the duration of knotting. In this connection, it has also been proposed to introduce the ends of the yarn automatically into the knotter by means of suction or a blast of air in order in this way to facilitate the application of the yarn so that the operation need only actuate the knotter, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,820,315, issued June 28, 1974, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

In addition to this it is known in connection with textile yarn processing machines to arrange a knotter on a movable carriage and to bring the carriage in each case to the winding place where a yarn has broken, as shown in United States Patent Applications, Ser. No. 409,032, filed Oct. 24, 1973, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,842,577, issued Oct. 22,1974, and Ser. No. 381,767, filed July 23, 1973, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,842,580, issued Oct. 22, 1974, both assigned to the assignee of the present invention. In this case also the introduction of the ends of the yarns into the knotter may take place pneumatically whereby an extensive degree of automation is obtained since the knotter is also no longer placed in operation by hand but rather by a corresponding control device.

All known mechanically operating knotters have the drawbacks in common that they have a large number of moving and driven parts, namely the tying beaks, cutting knives and clamps which must carry out the movements intended for the knotting. Since most of these are swinging movements, these knotters have a number of bearings which are subject to wear and thus do not absolutely guarantee dependable knotting after a long period of operation.

While there have been some proposals for pneumatically operated knotter mechanisms, these have not proved satisfactory, due in part to a lack of an operative design, particularly for use with textile yarn processing machines.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The object of the present invention is to create a yarn knotter for use on textile yarn processing machines which greatly reduces the number of moving parts for the carrying out of the knotting operation and furthermore operates in a manner which is very gentle on the yarn since all clamping of the yarns and rubbing of the yarns are avoided.

By this invention, it has been found that the above object may be accomplished by providing a pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism, as follows. A pair of knot tying housings is carried by a frame in longitudinallyspaced, mirror-image relation to each other and have inside faces facing each other and outside faces facing away from each other. An injector nozzle means is formed in and extends longitudinally through each of the housings to define opposing, longitudinallyextending, axially-offset, parallel, yarn passageways from the housing outside faces to the inside faces. The nozzle means each include a thin, radially and longitudinally-extending slot therethrough. Each of the nozzle means further includes means of the supplying air under pressure thereto for creating opposing air steams therethrough from the housing outside faces to the inside faces, whereby yarn ends positioned at the housing outside faces will be sucked in and carried through the nozzle passageways and impinged upon the opposite housing inside faces.

Recessed, open-sided, curved, continuous, knot tying, guide surfaces are formed on the housing inside faces around the nozzle means and each define an inter-looped, yarn passageway on each of the housing inside faces and having an entrance and an exit and being generally in the shape of a loosely tied knot loop and being positioned for receiving at the entrance thereof the yarn end and air stream from the opposing housing nozzle and passing the yarn end and air stream around the other yarn end being carried through the same housing nozzle and out of the exit thereof for the tying of a knot of each of the yarn ends around the other of the yarn ends. A suction conduit means is positioned adjacent the exits of the knot tying passageways for receiving and sucking in the loose ends of yarn from the exits after the knot tying operation and for pulling the loosely tied knot and yarn out of the knot tying housing through the open sides of the guide surfaces and through the slot in the nozzle means and for tightening the tied knot.

Preferably, the passageways formed by the knot tying guide surfaces on the housing inside faces are generally in the shape of opposed sides of a loosely tied fishermans knot for the tying of a fishermans knot by the knotter mechanism.

The mechanism preferably includes cutter means operatively associated with the suction means and positioned for cutting off the loose ends of yarn extending from the tied knot into the suction conduit means for removal by the suction conduit means. This cutter means comprises driven cutter blades, mounting means pivotally carrying the driven cutter blades for pivotal movement between an inoperative position out of cutting alignment with the loose ends of yarn extending from the tied knot and an operative position in cutting alignment with the loose ends extending from the tied knot for cutting of the loose ends, and means connected with the mounting means for movement thereof between the inoperative and operative positions.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the suction conduit means comprises the following. A pair of elongate, thin, yarn end receiving slots having entrances adjacent and aligned with the exits of the knot tying passageways extend toward each other and toward a generally medial portion of the suction conduit and terminate at exits for receiving and sucking in at the entrances the respective loose ends extending from the loosely tied knots as they are expelled from the exits of the knot tying passageways and for passing these loose yarn ends along the slots toward the medial portion of the suction conduit and to the exits thereof. A pair of ejector nozzle means is formed in the suction conduit means and are spaced apart from each other at the exits of the slots and have longitudinally-extending slits on each side thereof in communication with the exits of the slots for receiving the loose yarn ends extending from the tied knots as they are passed down the slots. These nozzle means include means for supplying air under pressure therethrough for propelling these loose yarn ends into the suction conduit. And a knot guide bow is secured to the outside surface of the suction conduit and is positioned between the injector nozzles therein and extends outwardly from the suction conduit for receiving and guiding the tied knot and allowing the loose ends extending therefrom to be propelled by the injector nozzles into the suction conduit around and on each side of the knot guide bow.

The means for supplying air under pressure to the suction conduit and injector nozzle means preferably comprises means for intermittently supplying air under pressure in a pulsating manner for aiding in the tightening of the tied knot by exerting a pulsating pressure on the loose yarn ends extending from the tied knot.

Preferably, the pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism of this invention includes funnel means connected to the outside faces of the knot tying housings in longitudinal alignment with the injector nozzle means therein for receiving the yarn ends to be tied and guiding them into the injector nozzle means. Each of the funnel means includes a longitudinally-extending, thin slit therein for removal of the yarn therethrough upon completion of the knot tying operation. The yarn ends to be knotted may be supplied to these funnel means manually or pneumatically, for example by a pneumatically-operated, yarn threading mechanism for a twister yarn processing machine as disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,731,478, issued May 8, 1973 and assigned to the as signee of the present invention.

It is also preferable for the pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism of this invention to include control means operatively connected with the means for supplying air to the nozzle means in the knot tying housings, with the means for intermittently supplying air to the nozzle means of the suction conduit means, and with the means for moving the cutter blades between the inoperative and operative positions thereof. This control means senses loose ends of yarn extending from the tied knot after the knot tying operation and sequentially stops the means for supplying air to the injector nozzle means in the knot tying housings to allow easy removal of the yarn therefrom after the knot tying operation, alternately and intermittenly operates the means for supplying air to the injector nozzle means in the suction conduit means for creating a pulsating action on the loose yarn ends extending into the suction conduit means for tightening the tied knot, and actuates the means connected with the mounting means carrying the cutter blades for moving the cutter blades to the operative position thereof for cutting off the loose yarn ends.

This control means includes photoelectric cell means positioned in the suction conduit means for sensing the presence of loose yarn ends therein indicating completion of the knot tying operation and for actuating the sequential operation of the control means.

With such a yarn knotter mechanism, the knotting process takes place purely pneumatically by corresponding introduction of compressed air into the pair of injector nozzles of the knotter housings, one after the other, without the formation of the knot requiring any moving parts which act directly on the ends of the yarn. With the knotter in accordance with the invention the knotting action takes place in detail as follows.

First of all, the two ends of yarns which are to be connected together, after introduction of compressed air into the injector nozzles are put in such a position that the ends of the yarn are blown axially through the nozzles. After leaving the nozzles they are impinged against the associated knot shaped guide surfaces which cause the ends of the yarns to form a loop. Each yarn thus moves axially through the loop of the other yarn and after the formation of the loop arrives at the exits of the guide surfaces and to the region of the suction conduit where the ends of yarn are subjected to the action of a stream of suction which prevails in the suction conduit. At this moment pressurized air to the injector nozzles in the knotter housings is disconnected and at the same time pressurized air to the injector nozzles in the suction conduit is connected. The ends of yarn are pulled along the slots in the suction conduit to the injector nozzles and the yarns with the tied knot therein detach themselves from the guide surface and are stretched. The stream of blast air which strikes it in the injector nozzles of the suction conduit drives the loose yarn ends further into the suction conduit. With the tightening of the yarns, the knot loops are pulled entirely together and the knot is completed. The cutting device may now enter into operation, cutting off the free or loose ends of the yarns within the suction conduit and the ends are removed by the stream of suction air. Since the injector nozzles are longitudinally slit laterally, the knotted yarn can detach itself from the in jector nozzles whereby the knotting process is concluded. Upon the tightening of the loops, the yarn places itself against the yarn guide bow with the result that the yarn knot is formed on same and therefore comes into existence in front of the entrance openings of the injector nozzles in the suction conduit.

A pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism having the above indicated construction can be used in very different manners. On the one hand there is a possibility of arranging it fixed in position independently of any machines in order to use it solely for the knotting of yarns. However, it is also possible to arrange such a yarn knotter in fixed positions on the machines at those places where knotting processes must be carried out. In this arrangement it is particularly simple to install the different compressed airlines and to effect the connecting and disconnecting of the streams of compressed air. This also is true in connection with another possible embodiment, namely the arrangement of such a knotter on a carriage which is moved along the textile machines and is brought to the place where a knotting is to be effected. The two last mentioned possible uses are particularly adapted for textile yarn processing machines, especially ones in which, for instance, the replacement of the bobbins is fully automated and up to now the operator merely had to effect the elimination of any breaks in the yarn.

The pneumatic knotting mechanism in accordance with this invention performs a knotting operation just as rapidly as with the known mechanical knotters, but has a number of advantages over the latter. the elimination of virtually all of the mechanical rubbing on the yarn avoids reducing the quality of the yarn as well as wear on the knotter mechanism. Disturbances of lint cannot occur since lint and fluff are continuously removed by the air stream in combination with the suction conduit. Furthermore, the pneumatic knotting mechanism can be employed with a large range of yarns. The free yarn ends present on the completed knot can be kept substantially shorter than in the case of mechanical knotting devices so that the knotting loss lengths are substantially less. It is furthermore of particular advantage that the knotting mechanism does not require any mechanically moved parts and thus possible disturbances from moved parts are eliminated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Some of the objects and advantages of this invention having been stated, other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeeds, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is an elevational view, partially broken away, of the pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism of this invention, with the completed knotted yarn shown in dashdot lines;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the other side of the mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the path of the ends of yarn as they pass through the yarn knotter mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view, taken through the mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional plan view, taken generally along the line 55 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional detail of the cutting device shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view, taken generally along the line 77 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional detail with the loosely tied knot removed from the knot tying mechanisms and disposed generally above the suction conduit device;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the control system utilized in the preferred embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the sequence of operation performed by the control system of FIG, 9.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, the pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism, generally designated by the reference number 10, is illustrated by plan views of both sides thereof in FIGS. 1 and 2 and by cross-sectional views therethrough in FIGS. 4-8. FIG. 3 illustrates schematically the path of two broken or otherwise separated yarn ends Y1 and Y-2 indicating their path of travel through the pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism 10 for the tying of a knot K (see FIG. I) which comprises a fisherman s knot having opposed, mirror-image knot loops L-l and L-2 formed of each of the yarns Y-l, Y-2 around the other of the yarns Y-l, Y-2. The thus loosely formed knot K, as illustrated in FIG. 3, is pulled tight to form a unitary knot, as illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 1, and the loose ends of yarns Y-l, Y-2 are cut off and removed by suction by the pneumatic knot tying mechanism 10 of this invention.

Referring now in detail to the pneumatic knot tying mechanism 10, this mechanism comprises a hollow frame or housing 15 upon which all of the components of the knot tying mechanism 10 are mounted or carried. The frame 15 may in turn be mounted on a textile machine at the desired location of knot tying operations, eg the spindle assemblies, or may be mounted on a movable carriage which moves along a textile machine for positioning at the desired knot tying locations. Also, the frame 15 may include suitable means for the mounting thereof stationary for the tying of knots in any yarns, threads, cords, etc. apart from any association with a textile machine. Accordingly, the description herein refers to the tying of a knot K in yarns Y-l, Y-2; however, it is to be understood that the use of the term yarns refers to any yarn, thread, cord, etc. which is desired to be joined by a knot.

Mounted on the frame 15 is a pair of knot tying housings l7, 18. These knot tying housings are of the same construction and are mounted on the frame 15 in longitudinally-spaced, mirror-image relation to each other and have inside faces facing each other and outside faces facing away from each other.

A yarn injector nozzle 20, 21 is formed in and extends longitudinally through each of the knot tying housings l7, 18 to define opposing, longitudinallyextending, axially-offset, parallel, yarn passageways 22, 23 extending from the housing outside faces to the housing inside faces (as shown in FIG. 4). Each of the injector nozzles 20, 21 include a thin, radially and longitudinally-extending, slot 24, 25 therethrough for the removal of a continuous length of yarn therefrom after the knot tying operation, as will be discussed below.

Each of the nozzles 20, 21 includes a means for supplying air under pressure thereto for creating opposing air streams therethrough from the housing outside faces to the housing inside faces whereby yarn ends Y-l, Y-2 positioned at the housing outside faces will be sucked in and carried through the nozzle passageways 22, 23 and impinged upon the opposite housing inside faces (see FIGS. 1 and 4) due to the axially-offset relationship of the yarn passageways 22, 23. This means for supplying compressed air or air under pressure into the passageways 22, 23 of the injector nozzles 20, 21 for creating opposing air streams therethrough from the outside faces of the housing l7, 18 to the inside faces thereof may be in the form of air conduits 28, 29 leading to the inside of the nozzles 20, 21 from the interior of the frame 15 or otherwise where they may be connected with any suitable source of pressurized or compressed air. The conduits 28, 29 include opposed angularly directed restricted ports 30, 31 for directing the compressed or pressurized air from the conduit 28, 29 into the passageways 22, 23 of the injector nozzles 20, 21 for creating the opposed air streams therethrough.

For guiding the yarn ends Y-l, Y-2 into the injector nozzles 20, 21, there is provided a funnel device 31, 32 connected to the outside faces of the knot tying housings 17, 18 in longitudinal alignment with the injector nozzles 20, 21 for receiving the yarn ends Y-l, Y-2 to be tied and guiding them into the injector nozzles 20, 21. The funnel devices include slits 33, 34 therein for the removal of the yarns Y-l, Y-2 therefrom after the knot tying operation as discussed below.

Recessed, open-sided, curved, continuous, generally worm-shaped, knot tying, yarn guide surfaces are formed on each of the inside faces of the housings 17, 18 and are collectively indicated by the reference numerals 35, 36. These yarn guide surfaces 35, 36 each define an inter-looped yarn and air stream passageway on each of the housings inside faces and have entrances for receiving the yarn being impinged from the opposite housing injector nozzle 20, 21 and for allowing exiting of the yarn ends after they have passed around the knot tying yarn guide surfaces 35, 36. Each of these knot tying, yarn guide surfaces 35, 36 are generally in the shape of opposed sides of a loosely tied fishermans knot and extend generally around the injector nozzles 20, 21 which extend through the housing 17, 18.

Thus, as seen particularly in FIG. 3, and in FIGS. 1 and 4, the yarn ends Y-l, Y-2 are sucked in and fed through the injector nozzles 20, 21 by the opposing air streams created therethrough and are impinged by the air stream on the entrances to the knot tying guide surfaces 35, 36 where they are carried around these surfaces by the air streams so as to form the opposing inter-looped, knot loops L-l, L-2 of each of the yarns Y-l, Y-2 around the other of the yarns Y-l, Y-2. The loose ends of yarn Y-l, Y-2 then exit from the exit portions of the guide surfaces 35, 36, for purposes to be described below.

Positioned generally adjacent to and in line with the exits of the knot tying guide surfaces 35, 36 on the inside faces of the knot tying housings 17, 18 is a suction conduit 40 contained within the hollow frame 15 and provided continuously with a negative air stream therethrough by any suitable source and may include suitable valve means for actuating the suction.

The suction conduit 40 includes a pair of elongate, thin, yarn end receiving slots 41, 42 formed in the upper surface of the frame 15 and having widened entrance portions adjacent the exits of the knot tying guide surfaces 35, 36 and each extending toward each other and toward a general medial portion of the suction conduit 40 and the frame 15 where they are separated. The slots 41, 42 have a suction created therein by the suction in the suction conduit 40 for receiving the loose ends of yarn Y-l, Y-2 exiting from the knot tying guide surfaces 35, 36 and pass these loose yarn ends along the slots 41, 42 toward each other and into the suction conduit 40.

Positioned at each of the exit ends of the slots 41, 42 is a pair of injector nozzles 45, 46 which extend transversely of the slots 41, 42 and include slits 47, 48 therein for receiving the loose ends of yarn Y-l, Y-2 after they are passed down the slots 41, 42. Each of the suction conduit injector nozzles 45, 46 include means for intermittently supplying air under pressure therethrough in a pulsating manner for creating a pulsating air stream therethrough from the outside of the suction conduit 40 to the inside thereof for propelling the loose yarn ends Y-l, Y-2 extending from the loosely tied knot K into the suction conduit 40 and for tightening the tied knot K by means of the pulsating pressure ex erted by the nozzles 45, 46 on the loose ends of yarn Y-l, Y-2 extending from the knot K.

This means for supplying air intermittently through the nozzles 45, 46 may include pressurized or compressed air conduits 50, 51 extending from any suitable source of pressurized or compressed air. The conduits 50, 51 include restricted ports 52, 53 extending therefrom for angularly inserting the compressed or pressurized air into the interior of the nozzles 45, 46.

For aiding in this knot tightening operation, there is provided a knot guide bow 55 secured to the frame 15 between the nozzles 45, 46 and extending outwardly therefrom in a generally U-shaped configuration for receiving and guiding the tied knot K and allowing the loose ends of the yarn Y-l, Y-2 therefrom to be propelled by the suction conduit injector nozzles 45, 46 into the suction conduit 40 around and on each side of the knot guide bow 55.

As may be seen particularly in FIG. 7, the suction conduit 40 is divided internally by baffles 57, 58 for providing individual passageways for each of the loose yarn ends Y-l, Y-2 for removal after cutting of these loose yarn ends.

For cutting of these loose yarn ends from the knot K, there is provided a cutter device, generally indicated at 65. This cutter device comprises a pair of generally circular, toothed, driven cutter blades 66, 67 which are rotated in opposite directions and act as scissors for cutting of the loose ends of yarn received between the teeth thereof. The circular cutter blade 66 is seated on a shaft 68 which extends through a hollow shaft 69 which carries the other circular cutter blade 67. The drive for the shaft 68 and the hollow shaft 69 is effected by a motor 75, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, by way of gears 70, 71, 72, 73 and 74. The hollow shaft 69 is supported in bearing sleeve 76 carried by the frame 15 and extends transversely through the suction conduit 40 through an opening 80 in the frame 15. The opening 80 in the frame 15 allows pivotal movement of the cutter blades 65, 66 and the shafts 68, 69 toward and away from the loose ends of yarn Y-l, Y-2 extending through injector nozzles 45, 46 and thus between an operative cutting position and an inoperative position.

For purposes of moving the driven cutter blades 66, 67 between the operative cutting position and the inoperative position, the cutter device 65 is carried by a lever arm at one end thereof and the lever arm 85 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 86 medially thereof and has the other end thereof connected to a piston 87 of a piston-cylinder device 88. The piston-cylinder device 88 may be hydraulic or pneumatic and receives fluid under pressure on each side thereof from conduits 89 and 90 for movingthe lever arm 85 about the pivot 86 to move the driven cutter device 65 between the operative and inoperative positions thereof.

Accordingly, when the loose ends of yarn Y-I, Y-2 have been propelled by the injector nozzles 45, 46 into the suction conduit 40, the cutter device 65 will move under the guide bow 55 into an operative cutting position in engagement with the loose ends of yarn extending into the suction conduit 40 and out these loose ends of yarn for removal by the suction conduit 40.

The action of the suction conduit 40 and the injector nozzles 45, 46 will pull the yarns Y-l, Y-2 out of the knot tying guide surfaces 35, 36 of the knot tying housings 17, 18 and out of the slits 24, 25 of the nozzles 22, 23 and out of the slits 33, 34 in the funnels 31, 32 to the position indicated in FIG. 8 for the tightening of the knot K, and the cutting off of the loose ends of yarn Y-l, Y-2, following which the knotted yarns Y-l, Y-2 will be in the position indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 1 for continued use in the textile machine or other use as desired. In connection with the above operation, the knot tying housing 18 may be provided with a slit 91 to aid in removal of the tied yarn therefrom.

Preferably, the pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism includes a control means, as shown in FIG. 9, operatively connected with the means for supplying air to the injector nozzles 20, 21, with the means for intermittently supplying air to the suction conduit nozzles 45, 46 and with the piston-cylinder mechanism 88 for moving of the cutter device 65. This control means senses loose ends of yarn extending from a tied knot after the knot tying operation and sequentially l stops the supply of air to the injector nozzles 20, 21 to allow easy removal of the yarns Y-l, Y-2 therefrom after the knot tying operation, (2) alternately and intermittently op erates the supply of air to the suction conduit injector nozzles 45, 46 for creating a pulsating action on the loose yarn ends extending into the suction conduit 40 for tightening of the tied knot K, and (3) actuates the piston-cylinder device 88 to move the cutter device 65 into the operative position thereof for cutting off the loose ends of yarn Y-l, Y-2 extending from the tied knot K.

The control means is a generally mechanicallypneumatically operated air circuit control device and is shown schematically in FIG. 9. It consists of a high pressure air switch cylinder 101 and a low pressure air switch cylinder 102 which are adapted to supply air through the air lines or circuit indicated in the various numbered positions indicated and which are turned or rotated to individual switch steps by means of the pawl piston rod 103 of the pneumatically operating pistoncylinder unit 104 which acts upon a ratchet wheel 105 so that the individual streams of compressed or pressurized air enter into action one after the other. Contrary to the schematic showing in FIG. 9, the two switch cylinders 101 and 102, as well as the ratchet wheel 105, are arranged co-axially behind one another and therefore rotate jointly.

It should be stated that, in the suction conduit 40 of the knotter mechanism 10, a stream of suction air is continuously present and therefore suction prevails continuously in the slots 41, 42. The switch cylinders 101 and 102 permit 10 switch positions in the embodiments shown by way of example. By way of actuating the switch knob 107, the control device is placed into operation and the switch cylinders are moved into position 1.

In switch position 1, compressed air is fed through the air circuit to the injector nozzles and 21 through their air conduits 28, 29 and this stream of air draws the yarns Y-l and Y-2 into and through the nozzles 20 and 21 and causes the yarns to impinge upon and pass around guide surfaces 35 and 36 to form the knot loops L-l, L'2. After formation of these knot loops, the yarns Y-l, Y-2 are drawn into the slots 41, 42 and into the suction conduit 40. Positioned in the suction conduit 40 is a photoelectric cell mechanism 108. When the loose yarn ends from the tied knot K are fed by the suction stream in the suction conduit 40 past the photoelectric cell device 108, the photoelectric cell device 108 senses the presence of these loose ends of yarn and actuates the control mechanism by way of a relay 110 and a solenoid valve 111 to operate the piston-cylinder unit 104 and thus effect the sequential turning of the ratchet wheel 105 by one switch step at a time so that the switch cylinders 101 and 102 pass out of position 1 and into position 2.

In this position 2, the flow of compressed air to the nozzles 20 and 21 through the conduits 28, 29 is shut off and simultaneously the flow of compressed air to the suction conduit injector nozzle 45, 46 is connected or started. The yarns Y-l, Y-2 are drawn directly into the injector nozzles 45, 46 and pulled by the streams of pressurized air flowing therethrough which results in tightening of the knot loops L-l, L-2 in the tied knot K.

The switch cylinders 101, 102 are then moved further into switch position 3 which causes the same operation as position 2 and then into switch position 4. ln switch position 4, the stream of compressed air to the nozzle 45 is disconnected and the stream of air to the nozzle 46 is maintained. Upon further rotation of the switch cylinders 101, 102 into position 5, the reconnecting of the stream of compressed air to the nozzle 45 and the disconnecting of the stream of compressed air to the nozzle 46 takes place. The same occurs upon further rotation of the switch cylinder 101 into positions 6 and 7. The alternate connecting of the streams of compressed air to the suction conduit injector nozzles 45, 46 creates a pulsating action on the loose yarn ends Y-l, Y-2 extending into the suction conduit 40 from the tied knot and aids in tightening of the tied knot.

When the switch cylinders 101, 102 move into position 8, the flow of air to both of the suction conduit injector nozzles 45, 46 is turned off. When the switch cylinders 101, 102 move into position 9, the pistoncylinder unit 88 receives fluid under pressure therein for actuation thereof to move the cutter device 65 into its operative cutting position for cutting the loose ends of yarn extending from the tied knot. These cut off loose ends of yarn are then removed by the suction conduit 40.

The switch cylinders 101, 102 then move into position 10 which initiates the supply of fluid to the other side of the piston-cylinder unit 88 to return the cutter device 65 to its inoperative position. The knotting operation is now concluded, the loose ends of yarn are no longer sensed by the photoelectric cell 108 and the operation of the control mechanism is stopped. The above described control sequence may be again initiated by actuation of the push button switch 107 to move the switch cylinders to position 1.

The individual switch positions and their operation thereof which have been described above, are shown schematically in block diagram form in FIG. 10 for ease of understanding.

Thus it may be seen, that this invention has provided a sequentially operated, pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism which overcomes the disadvantages of prior known, commercially available yarn knotter mechanisms and which provides an effective mechanism ill which may be used in conjunction with a textile machine for the knotting together of broken or otherwise separated yarn ends or may be used alone in connection with the knotting or tying together of any two ends of strand material.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of this invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:

l. A pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism for use alone and especially for use on a yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, for knotting together broken or otherwise separated ends of yarn being processed thereby and being characterized by a purely pneumatic knot tying operation which eliminates moving parts acting directly on the yarns; said yarn knotter mechanism comprising:

a frame;

a pair of knot tying housings carried by said frame in longitudinally-spaced, mirror-image relation to each other and having inside faces facing each other and outside faces facing away from each other;

an injector nozzle means formed in and extending longitudinally through each of said housings to define opposing, longitudinally-extending, axiallyoffset, parallel, yarn passageways from said housing outside faces to said inside faces, said nozzle means each including a thin, radially and longitudinallyextending slot therethrough, each of said nozzle means including means for supplying air under pressure thereto for creating opposing air streams therethrough from said housing outside faces to said inside faces, whereby yarn ends positioned at said housing outside faces willbe sucked in and carried through said nozzle passageways and impinged upon said opposite housing inside faces;

recessed, open-sided, curved, continuous, knot tying, guide surfaces formed on said housing inside faces around said nozzle means and each defining an interlooped, yarn passageway on each of said housing inside faces having an entrance and an exit and being generally in the shape of a loosely tied knot loop and being positioned for receiving at said entrance thereof the yarn end and air stream from said opposite housing nozzle and passing the yarn end and air stream around the other yarn end being carried through the same housing nozzle and out of said exit thereof for the tying of a knot of each of said yarn ends around the other of said yarn ends; and

suction conduit means contained in said frame and opening adjacent said exits of said knot tying passageways for receiving and sucking in the loose ends of yarn from said exits after the knot tying operation and for pulling the loosely tied knot and yarn out of said knot tying housings through the open sides of said guide surfaces and through said slots in said nozzle means and for tightening the tied knot.

2. A pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism, as set forth in claim 1, in which said passageways formed by said knot tying guide surfaces on said housing inside faces are generally in the shape of opposed sides of a loosely tied fishermans knot for the tying ofa fisherman 's knot by said knotter mechanism.

3. A pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism, as set forth in claim 1, in which said knotter mechanism further includes cutter means operatively associated with said suction conduit means and positioned for cutting off the loose ends of yarn extending from the tied knot into said suction conduit means for removal by said suction conduit means.

4. A pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism, as set forth in claim 3, in which said cutter means comprises driven cutter blades,

mounting means pivotally carrying said driven cutter blades for pivotal movement between an inoperative position out of cutting alignment with the loose ends of yarn extending from the tied knot and an operative position in cutting alignment with the loose ends extending from the tied knot for cutting of the loose ends, and

means connected with said mounting means for movement thereof between the inoperative and operative positions.

5. A pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism as set forth in claim 1, in which said suction conduit means comprises a pair of elongate, thin, yarn end receiving slots having entrances adjacent and aligned with said exits of said knot tying passageways and extending toward each other and toward a generally medial portion of said suction conduit and terminating at exits for receiving and sucking in at said entrances the respective loose yarn ends extending from the loosely tied knots as they are expelled from said exits of said knot tying passageways and for passing these loose yarn ends along said slots toward the medial portion of said suction conduit and to said exits thereof,

a pair of injector nozzle means formed in said suction conduit means and spaced apart from each other at said exits of said slots and having longitudinallyextending slits on each side thereof in communication with said exits of said slots for receiving the loose yarn ends extending from the tied knots as they are passed down said slots and including means supplying air under pressure therethrough for propelling these loose yarn ends into said suction conduit, and

a knot guide bow secured to the outside surface of said suction conduit and positioned between said injector nozzles therein and extending outwardly from said suction conduit for receiving and guiding the tied knot and allowing the loose ends extending therefrom to be propelled by said injector nozzles into said suction conduit around and on each side of said knot guide bow.

6. A pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism, as set forth in claim 5., in which said means supplying air under pressure to said suction conduit injector nozzle means comprises means for intermittently supplying air under pressure in a pulsating manner for aiding in the tightening of the tied knot by exerting a pulsating pressure on the loose yarn ends extending from the tied knot.

7. A pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism, as set forth in claim 1, in which said pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism further includes funnel means connected to said outside faces of said knot tying housings in longitudinal alignment with, said injector nozzle means therein for receiving the yarn ends to be tied and guiding them into said injector nozzle means, each of said funnel means including a longitudinally-extending, thin slit therein for removal of the yarn therethrough upon completion of the knot tying operation.

8. A pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism for use alone and especially for use in a yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, for knotting together broken or otherwise separated ends of yarn being processed thereby and being characterized by a purely pneumatic knot tying operation which eliminates moving parts acting directly on the yarns; said yarn knotter mechanism comprising:

a housing;

a pair of knot tying housings carried by said frame in longitudinally-spaced, mirror-image relation to each other and having inside faces facing each other and outside faces facing away from each other;

an injector nozzle means formed in and extending longitudinally through each of said housings to define opposing, longitudinally-extending, axiallyoffset, parallel, yarn passageways from said housing outside faces to said inside faces, said nozzle means each including a thin, radially and longitudinallyextending slot therethrough, each of said nozzle means including means for supplying air under pressure thereto for creating opposing air streams therethrough from said housing outside faces to said inside faces whereby yarn ends positioned at said housing outside faces will be sucked in and carried through said nozzle passageways and impinged upon said opposite housing inside faces;

recessed, open-sided, curved, continuous, knot tying guide surfaces formed on said housing inside faces around said nozzle means and each defining an interlooped, yarn passageway on each of said housing inside faces having an entrance and an exit and being generally in the shape of opposed sides of a loosely tied fisherman s knot and being positioned for receiving at said entrance end thereof the yarn end and air stream from said opposite housing nozzle and passing the yarn end and air stream around the other yarn end being carried through the same housing nozzle and out of said exit thereof for the tying of a fishermans knot;

suction conduit means contained in said frame and opening adjacent said exits of said knot tying passageways for receiving and sucking in the loose ends of yarn from said exits after the knot tying operation and for pulling the loosely tied knot and yarn out of said knot tying housing through the open sides of said guide surfaces and through said slots in said nozzle means and for tightening the tied knot, said suction conduit means including a pair of injector nozzle means formed in said suction conduit means and spaced from each other for receiving' respective loose yarn ends extending from the tied knots and including means for intermittently supplying air under pressure thereto in a pulsating manner for propelling these loose yarn ends into said suction conduit and for tightening the tied knot; and

cutter means operatively associated with said suction conduit means and positioned for cutting off the loose ends of yarn extending from the tied bow into said suction conduit means for removal by said suction means, said cutter means comprising driven cutter blades, mounting means pivotally carrying said driven cutter blades for pivotal movement between an inoperative position out of cutting alignment with the loose ends of yarn extending from the tied knot and an operative position in cutting alignment with the loose ends extending from the tied knot for cutting off the loose ends, and means connected with said mounting means for movement thereof between the inoperative and operative positions.

9. A pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism, as set forth in claim 8, in which said knotter mechanism further includes control means operatively connected with said means for supplying air to said nozzle means in said knot tying housings, with said means for intermittently supplying air to said nozzle means of said suction conduit means, and with said means for moving said cutter blades between the inoperative and operative position thereof for sequentially l starting the supply of air to said injector nozzle means in said knot tying housings for the knot tying operation, (2) for sensing loose ends of yarn extending from the tied knot after the knot tying operation and stopping the supply of air to said injector nozzles in said knot tying housings to allow easy removal of the yarn therefrom after the knot tying operation, (3) alternately and intermittently supplying air to said injector nozzle means in said suction conduit means for creating a pulsating action on said loose yarn ends extending into said suction conduit means for tightening the tied knot, and (4) actuating said means connected with said mounting means carrying said cutter blades for moving said cutter blades to the operative position thereof for cutting off the loose yarn ends.

10. A pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism, as set forth in claim 9, in which said control means includes photoelectric cell means positioned in said suction conduit means for sensing the presence of loose yarn ends therein indicating completion of the knot tying operation for initiating the sequential operation of said control means. 

1. A pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism for use alone and especially for use on a yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, for knotting together broken or otherwise separated ends of yarn being processed thereby and being characterized by a purely pneumatic knot tying operation which eliminates moving parts acting directly on the yarns; said yarn knotter mechanism comprising: a frame; a pair of knot tying housings carried by said frame in longitudinally-spaced, mirror-image relation to each other and having inside faces facing each other and outside faces facing away from each other; an injector nozzle means formed in and extending longitudinally through each of said housings to define opposing, longitudinally-extending, axially-offset, parallel, yarn passageways from said housing outside faces to said inside faces, said nozzle means each including a thin, radially and longitudinally-extending slot therethrough, each of said nozzle means including means for supplying air under pressure thereto for creating opposing air streams therethrough from said housing outside faces to said inside faces, whereby yarn ends positioned at said housing outside faces will be sucked in and carried through said nozzle passageways and impinged upon said opposite housing inside faces; recessed, open-sided, curved, continuous, knot tying, guide surfaces formed on said housing inside faces around said nozzle means and each defining an interlooped, yarn passageway on each of said housing inside faces having an entrance and an exit and being generally in the shape of a loosely tied knot loop and being positioned for receiving at said entrance thereof the yarn end and air stream from said opposite housing nozzle and passing the yarn end and air stream around the other yarn end being carried through the same housing nozzle and out of said exit thereof for the tying of a knot of each of said yarn ends around the other of said yarn ends; and suction conduit means contained in said frame and opening adjacent said exits of said knot tying passageways for receiving and sucking in the loose ends of yarn from said exits after the knot tying operation and for pulling the loosely tied knot and yarn out of said knot tying housings through the open sides of said guide surfaces and through said slots in said nozzle means and for tightening the tied knot.
 2. A pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism, as set forth in claim 1, in which said passageways formed by said knot tying guiDe surfaces on said housing inside faces are generally in the shape of opposed sides of a loosely tied fisherman''s knot for the tying of a fisherman''s knot by said knotter mechanism.
 3. A pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism, as set forth in claim 1, in which said knotter mechanism further includes cutter means operatively associated with said suction conduit means and positioned for cutting off the loose ends of yarn extending from the tied knot into said suction conduit means for removal by said suction conduit means.
 4. A pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism, as set forth in claim 3, in which said cutter means comprises driven cutter blades, mounting means pivotally carrying said driven cutter blades for pivotal movement between an inoperative position out of cutting alignment with the loose ends of yarn extending from the tied knot and an operative position in cutting alignment with the loose ends extending from the tied knot for cutting of the loose ends, and means connected with said mounting means for movement thereof between the inoperative and operative positions.
 5. A pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism as set forth in claim 1, in which said suction conduit means comprises a pair of elongate, thin, yarn end receiving slots having entrances adjacent and aligned with said exits of said knot tying passageways and extending toward each other and toward a generally medial portion of said suction conduit and terminating at exits for receiving and sucking in at said entrances the respective loose yarn ends extending from the loosely tied knots as they are expelled from said exits of said knot tying passageways and for passing these loose yarn ends along said slots toward the medial portion of said suction conduit and to said exits thereof, a pair of injector nozzle means formed in said suction conduit means and spaced apart from each other at said exits of said slots and having longitudinally-extending slits on each side thereof in communication with said exits of said slots for receiving the loose yarn ends extending from the tied knots as they are passed down said slots and including means supplying air under pressure therethrough for propelling these loose yarn ends into said suction conduit, and a knot guide bow secured to the outside surface of said suction conduit and positioned between said injector nozzles therein and extending outwardly from said suction conduit for receiving and guiding the tied knot and allowing the loose ends extending therefrom to be propelled by said injector nozzles into said suction conduit around and on each side of said knot guide bow.
 6. A pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism, as set forth in claim 5, in which said means supplying air under pressure to said suction conduit injector nozzle means comprises means for intermittently supplying air under pressure in a pulsating manner for aiding in the tightening of the tied knot by exerting a pulsating pressure on the loose yarn ends extending from the tied knot.
 7. A pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism, as set forth in claim 1, in which said pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism further includes funnel means connected to said outside faces of said knot tying housings in longitudinal alignment with said injector nozzle means therein for receiving the yarn ends to be tied and guiding them into said injector nozzle means, each of said funnel means including a longitudinally-extending, thin slit therein for removal of the yarn therethrough upon completion of the knot tying operation.
 8. A pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism for use alone and especially for use in a yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, for knotting together broken or otherwise separated ends of yarn being processed thereby and being characterized by a purely pneumatic knot tying operation which eliminates moving parts acting directly on the yarns; said yarn knotter mechanism comprising: a housing; a pair of knot tying housings carried by said frame in longitudinally-spaced, mirror-image relation to each other and having inside faces facing each other and outside faces facing away from each other; an injector nozzle means formed in and extending longitudinally through each of said housings to define opposing, longitudinally-extending, axially-offset, parallel, yarn passageways from said housing outside faces to said inside faces, said nozzle means each including a thin, radially and longitudinally-extending slot therethrough, each of said nozzle means including means for supplying air under pressure thereto for creating opposing air streams therethrough from said housing outside faces to said inside faces whereby yarn ends positioned at said housing outside faces will be sucked in and carried through said nozzle passageways and impinged upon said opposite housing inside faces; recessed, open-sided, curved, continuous, knot tying guide surfaces formed on said housing inside faces around said nozzle means and each defining an interlooped, yarn passageway on each of said housing inside faces having an entrance and an exit and being generally in the shape of opposed sides of a loosely tied fisherman''s knot and being positioned for receiving at said entrance end thereof the yarn end and air stream from said opposite housing nozzle and passing the yarn end and air stream around the other yarn end being carried through the same housing nozzle and out of said exit thereof for the tying of a fisherman''s knot; suction conduit means contained in said frame and opening adjacent said exits of said knot tying passageways for receiving and sucking in the loose ends of yarn from said exits after the knot tying operation and for pulling the loosely tied knot and yarn out of said knot tying housing through the open sides of said guide surfaces and through said slots in said nozzle means and for tightening the tied knot, said suction conduit means including a pair of injector nozzle means formed in said suction conduit means and spaced from each other for receiving respective loose yarn ends extending from the tied knots and including means for intermittently supplying air under pressure thereto in a pulsating manner for propelling these loose yarn ends into said suction conduit and for tightening the tied knot; and cutter means operatively associated with said suction conduit means and positioned for cutting off the loose ends of yarn extending from the tied bow into said suction conduit means for removal by said suction means, said cutter means comprising driven cutter blades, mounting means pivotally carrying said driven cutter blades for pivotal movement between an inoperative position out of cutting alignment with the loose ends of yarn extending from the tied knot and an operative position in cutting alignment with the loose ends extending from the tied knot for cutting off the loose ends, and means connected with said mounting means for movement thereof between the inoperative and operative positions.
 9. A pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism, as set forth in claim 8, in which said knotter mechanism further includes control means operatively connected with said means for supplying air to said nozzle means in said knot tying housings, with said means for intermittently supplying air to said nozzle means of said suction conduit means, and with said means for moving said cutter blades between the inoperative and operative position thereof for sequentially (1) starting the supply of air to said injector nozzle means in said knot tying housings for the knot tying operation, (2) for sensing loose ends of yarn extending from the tied knot after the knot tying operation and stopping the supply of air to said injector nozzles in said knot tying housings to allow easy removal of the yarn therefrom after the knot tying operation, (3) alternately and intermittently supplying air to said injector nozzle means in said suction conduit means for creating a pulsating action on said loose yarn endS extending into said suction conduit means for tightening the tied knot, and (4) actuating said means connected with said mounting means carrying said cutter blades for moving said cutter blades to the operative position thereof for cutting off the loose yarn ends.
 10. A pneumatic yarn knotter mechanism, as set forth in claim 9, in which said control means includes photoelectric cell means positioned in said suction conduit means for sensing the presence of loose yarn ends therein indicating completion of the knot tying operation for initiating the sequential operation of said control means. 